Psalms 150

A Psalm of David. The title tells us who made this Psalm; and the matter of it is so plain, that any body jnay sec it is a pious resolution of David, to govern first himself, and then his court, and then his kingdom, with so much care, that the good might expect all favour from him, but no wicked man, of any sort, have the least countenance or encouragement The only difficulty is to know when he composed it; whether before or after he was settled in his kingdom. The first words of it seem to countenance those who think he was possessed of it; and newly entered upon the government; which he thankfully acknowledges. But the words that follow, (ver. 2.) O when wilt thou come tmto me, seem to justify their opinion, who think he was now under Saul’s persecution: yet, having confidence in God’s promises (which belonged to sec fulfilled), made this religious vow, of being a good king; and proposed to himself an excellent form and manner of life, when God should be pleased to perform them. To reconcile both these, there is a middle way lies open to every one’s view that roads this history. For upon the death of Saul, he was immediately promoted to the kingdom; though not entirely: but resolved then with himself how well he would govern; when God should make him king over all Israel, as he had done over Judah. And so I shall order ray Paraphrase, supposing him to reign now in Hebron, (2 Sam. ii. 1 — 4.) and expecting to reign in Jerusalem, (v. 3 — 5.) which I presume he here calls the city of God, ver. 8. because there he intended to settle the ark, as well as to fix his court; when he should be possessed of it. That passage, indeed, hath induced some to think, that he composed this Psalm after he had made an attempt to bring the ark thither; but failing in it, (2 Sam. vi. 9, 10.) sighs here for its enjoyment. Which I shall not dispute, because I would not prolong this preface unnecessarily. It is sufficient in my judgment to say, that it doth not seem likely he would defer this resolution so long after he was installed in his kingdom. For it required time to prepare a place for the reception of the ark, suitable to the majesty it represented. A Psalm of David, ARGUMENT^ The title tells us this Psalm is one of David’s: and the third, fourth, and fifth verses may satisfy us that he composed it after his recovery from a dangerous sickness, to such a vigorous health, as the eagles have when they renew their plumes. To that he alludes ver. 5. as Euthymius and St. Jerome understand it. The latter of which says, upon Isa. xl. that he had often tanght, the eagles do no other way return to youthfulness when they are old, but only mntatione pennarum, by change of their feathers. I have expressed this a little more largely than ordinary, in the Paraphrase (as I have done in the rest of the Psalm), to fit it the better to their use now that have escaped the like danger: who’ should take occasion, when they thank God for such a blessing, to imitate David; in making a thankful commemoration of the rest of his mercies, both to him and to others; both in the present and in past age^. And the more to excite devout souls to this, and that I might make their.thankfulness the more affectionate (if they please to make use of this Hymn for that purpose), I have oft repeated the beginning of the Psalm, which I think refers to the whole: and likewise put it into a little different form (of a soul actually praising God), without the least altera^ tion of the sense. Ver.l JtS LESS the Lord, O my soul: and all that iswithr in me, bless his holy name.] Blessed, for ever blessed, be the Lord of life and health, and all other blessings; blessed be his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness: with my whole heart do I bless him; with my most ardent love, and the deyoutest affections of my soul. Hallelujah. (See cxlvi.) Theodoret takes this also to be^Y/zvoc’ETnvfwoc, a Song of Triumph after some victory: and the mention of the mighty acts of the Lord, ver. 2. seems to countenance this conjecture: which consists well enough with what others conceive; that it was at first particularly directed to the Levites (by David I suppose), whose office it was to praise the Lord with musical instruments; (I Chron. xvi. 4, 5.) and excite others to his praises, not only for victory, but for all other his benefits. For if the tradi- - tion of the Jews be true, which we read at large in Maimonides (in a treatise on that subject), when the people of any place brought up their first-fruits to present them to the Lord at Jerusalem, (accordiug to the law, Deut. xxvi.) with a pipe going before them; as soon as they came to the mountain of the temple, every one took his basket into liis hand, and sung this whole Psalm: till they came to the courts of the Lord’s house, whero the Levites met them singing the thirtieth Psalm. And, indeed, it might well be used upon occasion of any exceeding great joy; for it seems to be intended (by the repetition of these words, praise the Lord, or jyraise him, thirteen times; and by the calling for no less than ten instruments of music) to express the height and fulness of their joy, and thankfulness to God for his benefits: nor can music be so well employed to any other use, as this Divine and heavenly exercise of praising God, by hymns, and psalms, and spiritual songs: to which the Psalmist seems to me to excite all creatures, in heaven and in earth; from the highest to the lowest. And with this the collector of these five books of Psalms thought good to conclude the whole; and not unfitly: for in whatsoever condition we be (as there are Psalms adapted to several purposes), we should never forget to praise the Lord; but after we have prayed, or complained, &c. still end with thankful acknowledgments to God for his goodness to us. Here are several sorts of musical instruments mentioned; which I have not adventured to explain, because the Hebrews themselves acknowledge they do not understand them. We have no way (saith Aben Ezra upon those words, ver. 5. which we translate loud cymbals) to know what these musical instruments were: there being many found in the country of the Ishmaclites (i. e. Mahometans) which are not among the men of Edom (i. e. Christians), and others among them, which the wise men of Ishmael never heard of.

Psalms 150:1

JL WILL sing of mercy and judgment; unto thee, O Lord, will I sing. I will never forget, but celebrate with perpetual praises that mercy which hath raised me from a low condition unto the throne; and that just punishment which I see inflicted upon all my opposers: both which I ascribe, O Lord, to thee alone, and not to my virtue or valour; and therefore to thee will* I sing my grateful hymns. Jl RAISE ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.] Praise the mighty God, ye angelical ministers that attend upon him in his celestial sanctuary; praise him all ye inhabitants of heaven, where you see the brightest demonstrations (and most lasting monuments) of his power,

Psalms 150:2

I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. Nor will I satisfy myself merely with songs of praise; but study, with all diligence, integrity of life, and purity of manners; O when wilt thou perfect what thou hast begun for me, and settle me peaceably in my kingdom? Then I shall be able to live more regularly than now in this state of war and confusion, (2 Sam. iii. 1. 39.) and so I resolve to do; sincerely endeavouring to make myself an absolute pattern of piety and virtue to all my court. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.] Which shall be every day thus employed, and praise his name with continual pleasure: I will never forget (how shouldest thou prove so ungrateful, O my soul! as not) to acknowledge the inestimable benefits I have received from his bounty; which arc more than thought cart number. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.] Praise him all ye ministers of his upon earth, for the miraculous things which he hath done for our deliverance and exaltation; let your praises bear some proportion to the excellence of his majesty, and the multitude of those great and magnificent acts of mercy towards us.

Psalms 150:3

Iivillset 7io ivicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. No pretended reasons of state and politic ends shall make me so much as project any thing against the law, to which I will ever tie myself: for I abhor the practices of those who decline that rule, to pursue their own private desires; no such corrupt principles shall be entertained in my mind. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; ivho healeth all thy diseases.] More particularly, I render thee, O Lord, my most hearty thanks,, for thy late mercies vouchsafed to> me: blessed be thy merciful kindness, that, after a short correction for my faults,, thou hast graciously pardoned’ [psalm cut. them •, and healed all the sores and grievous wounds which they had made. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him tvith the psaltery and harp.] Let the priests of the Lord (Numb. x. 8.) praise him with the sound of the trumpet; and let the Levites (1 Chron. xxv. 6.) praise him with psalteries and harps.

Psalms 150:4

A froward heart shall depart from me: I wilt not know a wicked per$on. I will turn him instantly out of my service, who shall dare to suggest to me any crooked counsels: I mil have no familiarity with him, much less make him my favourite, who makes no conscience how he compasses his ends. Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.) Blessed be God, who hath saved me from death; and not only spared my life, but surrounded it most graciously with I know not how many benefits; which make it exceeding delightful to me. [I owe my friends, lovers, and acquaintance, my careful attendants, my warm and quiet habitation, the plentiful estate thou hast given me, the liberal provision thou makest for me, with all tho rest of thy mercies, to the bowels of thy tender compassions towards me.] Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.] Let some praise him with the timbrel and the flute; and others praise him with the stringed instruments and organs.

Psalms 150:5

Wlioso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath a high look, and a proud heart, will not I suffer. I will be so far from listening to their private whispers, who, by secret calumnies and detractions, endeavour to supplant their fellow-servants, that I. will severely punish and banish them my court: nor will I endure those whose pride makes them overlook all others, as if they were another sort of creatures; or whose unsalable covetousness and ambition make them study their own advancement more than the public good. Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.’] Blessed be thy almighty gooducss, that my mouth (which lately disgusted all things, or was restrained from what it desired, or was prescribed that which was disgustful to it) can now relish its food again; and is satisfied with many good things; I can never sufficiently bless thy goodness, who by this means dost restore my strength, and makest my youth and freshness return like the eagle’s. [O that I may with fresh delight and joy be still praising thee! and be lifted up to heaven (as they arc when they have renewed their plumes), in more vigorous love, and affectionate desires and endeavours; to employ all my renewed strength in thy faithful service] Ver. G. Tlie Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.] Nor am I alone obliged to my gracious Lord for his singular favour to me: but, blessed be his name, ho relieves all those who suffer wrong; and doth justice upon their oppressors, who are too mighty for them.‘Ver. 7. He made known his ways unto ftloses, his acts unto the children of Israel’] Moses and the rest of our forefathers arc witnesses of this: whom the Lord delivered, in a stupendous manner, out of the house of bondage, Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals.] Let all sorts of cymbals accompany their psalms and hymns in his praise: both those of daily use, and those that are wont to be employed in times of the highest joy and triumph.

Psalms 150:6

Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walkcth in a perfect way, he shall serve me. I will look out for trusty persons, men fearing God, and of clear integrity; and in what part of the country soever I find them, make them of my privycouncil: and no man shall bear any other office in my court but he that lives unblamably. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.] Finally, let every man living join himself to this sacred choir; and at every breath praise the Lord, the giver of life and of all good things. To him let all the world,.with one consent, give perpetual praise.,

lie that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that tetleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. No subtle knave that is made up of shifts and tricks, or that devises cunning cheats to oppress my subjects, shall re T main in my service: though he have craftily got into it under a guise of simplicity, yet no false informer, flatterer, or any other sort of liar, shall continue in my favour..

J will early destroy all the wicked of the land, that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the Lord. As soon as ever I am settled in my throne,. I will use my utmost diligence to reform the whole nation; especially the place of thy peculiar residence, which ought to bo an example to the rest of the kingdom; taking caro that all offenders be severely punished in the courts of justice: and, if there be no other remedy, cutting off those evil 2B2 Tlie Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy J] And by other methods of his providence towards them, and dealing with them, declared how bountiful his blessed nature is, and how ready to forgive: forbearing long when men deserve to be punished; and soon releasing them from their pain, when they heartily repent of their folly.

He will not always chide; neither will he keep his anger for ever. 7. He doth not love, blessed be his name, to be always chastising us for our faults: and when he doth chastise us, he neither loves to prolong our miseries, nor to inflict them proportionable to our deserts.

He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. No, blessed be his holy name, thcrp is mercy even in our punishments: our sufferings are never so great as our sins; but we might justly suffer a great deal more than we do for our faults.

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy towards them that fear him. And were w r c never so obedient, there is not a greater disproportion between the vast circumference of the heavens and this little spot of earth, than there is between his mercies towards us and our small services.

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from 7/?. To those mercies alone it is to be ascribed, that we arc not bemoaning ourselves under innumerable miseries: but he hath quite taken away his wrath from us; and, adored be his goodness, perfectly remitted the punishment due to our manifold offences.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. O what bowels of mercy are these! no father can be more indulgent and tender-hearted to his returning children, than the Lord, blessed be his name, is to those who so reform by his chastisements, as to fear hereafter to oflend him.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. He easily relents, and takes compassion on them: considering how frail he hath made them;" and how soon of themselves they will moulder into the dust, out of which he took them.

As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so heflourisheth. For what is man, that the Atmighty should contend with him? He looks fresh and fair; but, alas! is as feeble as the grass, and as a flower in the field; whose beauty is far greater than its strength. Ver. 1G. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and theptace thereof shall know it no more.] Many accidents snatch him away, even in his prime: just as the biting wind, to which the field-flowers are exposed, blasts them on a sudden, and they spring up no more in the place that was adorned with them.

But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children s children. O how much doth this magnify the wonderful mercy of our God! who designs to be everlastingly kind (blessed be his goodness) to such shortlived creatures as we are: rewarding the faithful services of a few years with eternal life to ourselves; and with many blessings to our posterity in future generations.

To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them. There is no doubt of this; which hath been verified in those who have sincerely kept their faith with him; and not only promised, but constantly performed, tlie obedience they owed him.

The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom rnleth over all. For none can hinder thee, O most mighty Lord, from being as kind as thouplcasest: who art the universal Monarch; the blessed and only Potentate; to whom,.not only the greatest men on earth, but the highest powers in heaven, are subject.

Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in’ strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Let the angels, therefore, who know his greatness, power, and gracious providence, better than I, blesshis holy name: let those mighty ones, whose strength surpasses all the powers on earth, and yet never dispute his sacred commands, give praise unto him, with all their might; and with tho same cheerfulness wherewith they obey his word.

Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure. Let the whole company of heaven, all the several hosts of those glorious creatures, who have been employed by his Majesty so many ways for our good, and understand how much wc arc beholden to his love, speak good of his name, and bless his mercy," both to themselves and unto us.

Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his